Black plum, Grey plum, Yellow persimmon
Diospyros australis

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-10 m high. The leaves are oval with a blunt tip. They are dark green and shiny above and pale green underneath. They are 2.5-8 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They occur in two regular rows along the branch. The male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers are yellowish and 0.5 cm long. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. Female flowers are 0.8 cm long and occur either singly or 2-3 in the axils of leaves. Flowers are on the underside of the stem. Fruit are black, oval and fleshy. They are 1.5-2 cm long. There is a single seed about 0.9 cm long. The fruit is edible.

There are about 485 species of Diospyros mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They need moist conditions and a well-drained soil. Shade is needed when young. In tropical Queensland it grows between 20-1120 m altitude. It grows in drier rainforest. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed which must be planted fresh.

Its other names

Local names

Rainforest ebony

Synonyms

Annona microcarpa Jacq.; Cargillia australis R. Br.; Diospyros cargillia F. Muell. [Illegitimate]; Diospyros microcarpa (Jacq.) Gurke [Illegitimate]; Maba cargillia F. Muell. [Illegitimate];